Today IBM announced a new set of cloud computing capabilities to significantly increase the use of cloud as a platform for real business. Just as IBM made the Internet ready for businesses by bringing security, stability and scale to the Web -- IBM is making Cloud ready for real business all over the world by expanding its new enterprise-ready platform.

We unveiled our latest IBM SmartCloud services and software to do just that:

IBM has ported SAP, ERP, and all database applications to our SmartCloud platform, which has about 200 million users globally.

A new private cloud portfolio that helps clients build entry-level clouds, move from virtualization faster and with better management tools.

New Business Partner offerings -- IBM's first enterprise Cloud offering is now open to more than 130,000 software vendors, Business Partners and value-added resellers -- building and selling key applications in supply chain, healthcare and smarter commerce.

Adoption by enterprises has yet to live up the hype surrounding the consumer cloud market. As IBM knows, enterprise clients are much more conservative because their revenue, reputation and supply chain are closely related to the performance and security of their infrastructure. Our clients are not in a situation to swipe a credit card, cross your fingers and trust that things will be OK. That is why companies like Kaiser Permanent, ING, Citi and Lockheed Martin and many others are working with IBM.

What's new here is that while we've been on this path for a number of years, if you take a look at all the recent news on cloud, you'll see a distinct line being drawing between how cloud will be used for consumers and how cloud will be used by businesses. The announcements from today further IBM's position in the cloud.

Check out the new capabilities announced today at the IBM SmartCloud web site. There are other resources and tools for you according to who you are and what you are trying to accomplish:

Visit the IBM Cloud Virtual Briefing Center to access a replay of the announcement broadcast that aired this morning that summarizes the set of capabilities we announced today. Also find videos, white papers, demos, tools, trial code and so much more to help you on your path to cloud.

If you are an IBM Business Partner and you are interested in joining us at an event in a city near you to hear more details about today's announcements and have the opportunity to meet with other Business Partners in the IBM cloud ecosystem and hear from IBM cloud experts and executives, register for an upcoming event. We have events starting today and occuring in cities around the globe through end of November.

If you are an IT professional and want to ensure you have the skills necessary to develop and deploy cloud applications, take a look at the technical articles and events available at the IBM developerWorks Cloud zone. We will be rolling out a Tech Talk series on cloud this month to give you the tips and tools you need to do your job. Join the IBM developerWorks Cloud group to connect with peers and discuss the projects you have underway, share ideas and collaborate with IBM cloud experts.